May 30, 2011

Well, June's the "first Tuesday" meeting date has been CHANGED to Saturday June 11, 10:00 AM till 4:00 PM. Lunch will be catered for $7.50ea. so PLEASE notify John Skinner cell: 704-882-1650 or home 704-242-3155. Note it is the same meeting place as usual: the very end of Steele Rd at the shop of Dave and Joan McKeithan.

This is a Demo and workshop/class with Charles Farrar:

"Attendees will see how the demonstrator turns an open-faced bowl so that it's edge can be fashioned in a scalloped form. It should be understood that scalloped edge bowls require turning and off-lathe handwork using rasps, power sanders, etc. The class is intended to provide a look at woodturning with an eye toward creative thinking and design."

As you can see this is a needed exercise for every woodturner in that when we produce an item on the lathe we can just make willy-nilly cuts or we can be careful what the end result will be, how it looks to others: does it "feel" interesting with some excitement or intrigue.

Charles has done lots of very good quality work for lots of folks. He has that creative flair yet he can show how you can do it also. Mr. Farrar is a great man to demo and teach woodturning methods to us. We welcome him!

May 15, 2011

Our next meeting is scheduled for the 19th @ 6:30 PM and will be held at JPM as usual. Our theme for this meeting is a “Turner’s Fellowship” with a goal of getting the attendees talking about woodturning with each other. So many times we meet and concentrate on an individual and their demonstration. With this meeting, we’ll have lathes set up. Everyone is welcome to gather around the lathes in break out groups and discuss whatever topic they would like.

If you have a tool you would like sharpened, bring it. We can have a group around the sharpening station. If you have a new bowl gouge and don’t know how to grind it from the “factory grind” here’s your opportunity to get someone to show you how. Skew chisels, no problem for the old hats. Ask one of them to give you some pointers.

If you have a jig that you like to use, bring it. Someone at the meeting would like to look at it and talk about it. Hopefully we’ll see Bruce or Roland’s latest gadget if they’re able to make the meeting.

If you have a finishing solution or technique you have had success with, bring it. Many people have expressed interest in improving their finishing techniques. Charles Farrar will be prepared with his ideas about finishing and Raymond Overman will bring his latest finishing rig with him too. We’d love to see yours as well.

As an added bonus, Binh Pho will be visiting with us that evening as a guest with John Benton. I’m sure they’ll both have lots of input with their expertise.

This is a great opportunity for a jump start with new turners. Bring a guest!

Other business for May 19th:

Raffle tickets will be sold for the usual raffle items. The “Turner of the Month” is Dwight Hartsell who donated the piece after the recent Woodworkers Show.

Also, raffle tickets for a lathe, hand painted by Binh Pho, will be available.

If you haven’t picked up your Charlotte Woodturners logo shirt, please bring $20 for each shirt you ordered and pick it up at the next meeting.